{"id":181756,"date":"2018-02-03T20:00:31","date_gmt":"2018-02-03T09:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/real-weddings\/melissa-and-gareth-surprise-loved-ones-after-new-zealand-elopement\/"},"modified":"2024-03-08T12:03:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T01:03:45","slug":"melissa-and-gareth-surprise-loved-ones-after-new-zealand-elopement","status":"publish","type":"au-real-wedding","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/real-weddings\/melissa-and-gareth-surprise-loved-ones-after-new-zealand-elopement\/","title":{"rendered":"Melissa and Gareth surprise loved ones after New Zealand elopement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">Melissa and Gareth, aged 30 and 27 respectively, had begun planning their wedding at a local winery but something didn\u2019t sit right.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe felt like we were planning a wedding to make everyone else happy instead of ourselves,\u201d says Melissa. So, they changed tack and decided on a New Zealand<a title=\"Wedding vs elopement: what would you choose?\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/wedding-vs-elopement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> elopement<\/a> for a snow-filled wedding instead!<\/p>\n<p>They invited immediate family, and their two young children were able to be involved in the day &#8211; despite a bout of sickness in the afternoon. \u201cWe spent our wedding night sleeping on the floor of the hotel because our daughter vomited all through our bed and we had no spare sheets!\u201d laughs the bride. \u201cBut even with a few curveballs we had the most amazing wedding day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Upon returning home the couple surprised loved ones with an invite to their reception in South Australia. \u201cThe wedding reception was all about a relaxed casual celebration with a large marquee, plenty of flowers everywhere, wine barrels, hay bales and cable reel tables set up on a private property,\u201d explains Melissa. \u201cFor catering we had a huge grazing table, paella, a burger van, churros and cake. We also had a cocktail van.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Photos courtesy of\u00a0<a title=\"Larsson Weddings\" href=\"http:\/\/www.larsson.co.nz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Larsson Weddings<\/a> and <a title=\"Angus White Photography\" href=\"http:\/\/www.anguswhitephotography.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Angus White Photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144918 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_001.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_001\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144919 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_002.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_002\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144920 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_003.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_003\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144921 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_004.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_004\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144985 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_005-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_005\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144980 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_002\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144923 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_006.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_006\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The photos captured at their New Zealand wedding are absolutely breathtaking.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144926 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_009.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_009\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144927 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_010.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_010\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144993 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_008-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_008\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144995 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_009-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_009\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-145237 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/z2_horizontal.jpg\" alt=\"z2_horizontal\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144934 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_017.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_017\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144931 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_014.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_014\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144933 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_016.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_016\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144932 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_015.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_015\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;We had gorgeous succulents in pots for our\u00a0favours\u00a0from <a title=\"Unique Living Gifts\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/Bomboniere\/Adelaide\/UniqueLivingGifts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unique Living Gifts<\/a> for everyone that came as well,&#8221; says\u00a0the bride.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-145012 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_017-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_017\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144997 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_010-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_010\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144937 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_020.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_020\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144936 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_019.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_019\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144972 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_038.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_038\" width=\"900\" height=\"338\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144974 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_039.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_039\" width=\"900\" height=\"387\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144951 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_027.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_027\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;We absolutely loved that we were able to include children &#8211; we had a jumping castle and a kids corner set up &#8211; at our wedding celebration and didn&#8217;t have to cut our list down to certain numbers,&#8221; explains Melissa.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144949 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_026.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_026\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144954 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_029.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_029\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144953 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_028.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_028\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144956 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_030.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_030\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144958 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_031.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_031\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144960 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_032.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_032\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The cocktail van from <a title=\"The Speakeasy Hotel\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/WeddingCaterers\/Adelaide\/TheSpeakeasyHotel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Speakeasy Hotel<\/a>\u00a0was a dream come true for this bride who loves her cocktails!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144962 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_033.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_033\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-145030 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_025-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_025\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-145038 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_028-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_SBS_028\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144965 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_035.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_035\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-144968 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_036.jpg\" alt=\"Melissa_Gareth_New-Zealand-Elopement_Larsson-Weddings_Angus-White-Photography_036\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":181762,"parent":0,"template":"","au_real_wedding_category":[6857],"au_real_wedding_tag":[8377,6964,7009,8376,8375,7145],"au_real_wedding_style":[9004],"au_real_wedding_location":[13049,9072],"au_real_wedding_setting":[9019],"au_real_wedding_colour":[10602,10578,10592],"au_real_wedding_competition":[],"class_list":["post-181756","au-real-wedding","type-au-real-wedding","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","au_real_wedding_category-6857","au_real_wedding_tag-angus-white-photography","au_real_wedding_tag-destination-wedding-2","au_real_wedding_tag-garden-wedding-2","au_real_wedding_tag-larsson-weddings","au_real_wedding_tag-new-zealand-elopement","au_real_wedding_tag-real-weddings","au_real_wedding_style-rustic","au_real_wedding_location-new-zealand","au_real_wedding_location-overseas","au_real_wedding_setting-waterview","au_real_wedding_colour-hunter-green-wedding","au_real_wedding_colour-ivory-wedding","au_real_wedding_colour-navy-blue-wedding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding\/181756","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/au-real-wedding"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding\/181756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":290125,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding\/181756\/revisions\/290125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=181756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_category?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_tag?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_style","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_style?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_location?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_setting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_setting?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_colour","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_colour?post=181756"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_competition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_competition?post=181756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}